If we close our eyes and just observe the thoughts that arise in our mind, it’s the inner awareness which allows us to notice these thought patterns. While it’s easy for us to initially get swept away by the thought patterns and not be able to observe, steadily we can begin to recognize the observer as distinct from the thinking mind and the actor. We can then discover that this awareness is like a mirror — it only reflects what the mind is going through, without any projections of its own.

This inner awareness is who we really are. In our normal life, we are so busy with external stimulus that we lose connection with our true self. As we become more attuned to this awareness, we begin to get closer to understanding our own reality — which in turn allows us to better comprehend the truth out there.

Meditation can be greatly helpful in building deeper clarity as well. When we feel connected to this inner awareness, we realize that this awareness is never born, never dies; it’s vast and is in no way limited to time and space. We can then start to comprehend that this awareness is omnipresent, and governs everything; all of us are made of it, and are not discreet individuals, but just parts of a continuum of awareness.

It’s similar to knowing that God is in each one of us, and we are part of the same whole. Interestingly, this does not take us away from the regular worldly life but helps us live with greater joy and fulfillment.

As we make a conscious effort to stay connected with our inner awareness and our true self, we become better equipped to playing our roles as a businessman, doctor, husband, father or a friend.

This knowledge facilitates us to be like an actor who plays his role with sincerity but stays mindful through the movie that he is really not the character he’s playing — and thus not overly identify with the privileges and adversities of the dramatis personae.  - The Times of India

(Rajiv Vij is a life and executive coach)

It is believed that 20% of what we see is objective data and the rest is a projection, biased by our thoughts and emotions. Neuroscientists highlight that the electrical impulses that reach our retina must also interact with the thinking and the emotional parts of the brain. Thus, we don’t see a mosaic of blue, white and colorless space, but sky and clouds.

As French author Anais Nin said, “We do not see things as they are. We see them as we are” — our thoughts and emotions project their own hues and colors to whatever we observe. We are also quick to dole out intrinsic qualities to things and people, thinking “this is beautiful, that is ugly,” without being cognizant of the fact that these attributes are assigned by our mind. As a Buddhist verse says: “Is anything on earth universally and unanimously recognized as beautiful? For a lover, a beautiful woman is an object of desire; for the hermit, a distraction; for the wolf, a good meal.”

As we gain deeper insight, we learn that the smallest units of energy are just in free flow thought it all. We create a three-dimensional world from what is a continuum of free flowing energy, comprising of electrons and neutrons. Like the fish in the Chinese saying, when we cannot see this continuum, we notice the separate parts of the creation the trees, the animals, the objects —as disjointed from us, which in turn make us feel separate from the whole. The question is would a tree falling in a forest make any sound, if there was no one to hear it? It’s our presence and perception that gives way to the formation of reality as observed by us.

What is the truth then and how do we experience it? The powerful thing is that among all the living beings, only human beings have the ability to comprehend and experience this reality. We can get initiated into grasping this reality by starting to reach out to our inner awareness.

This inner awareness is not the mind, nor our thoughts; it’s the consciousness which allows us to observe the mind, and our thoughts and emotions. It’s this awareness which allows us to remember parts of a dream even when we are asleep.

Good morning friends.  It was said that, not everything we see is we should believe in that.  Sometimes the thing we see is not true.

One fish said to the other:  “Do you believe in this ocean that they talk about?”

This ancient Chinese saying well illustrates how narrow our vision of the world and the universe can be. We see the world from our limited perceptual framework. Despite evolution of our race, an average human mind is severely restricted by what it can perceive through the senses. What we hear is limited by the frequency our ears can process; dogs can hear many higher frequencies and hence, have a very different perception of the sounds out there.

Our sight is limited by the light frequencies our eyes can relate to; since pit vipers can sense heat from infrared rays (like night vision goggles), they must view the same world very differently. If we had a different mechanism, we would be seeing things differently. From our knowledge of science, we know so many things are just not what they appear — earth is not flat, the ground below us is not stationery and the sun doesn’t rise in the east.

The fact is that we see and hear what we can and not what the reality is. The world out there is an unprocessed and formless data, waiting to be interpreted by us. The human nervous system takes in only the minutest proportion of the total energy vibrating in the environment. Research shows that each conscious moment is actually comprised of many much smaller and unconscious “mini” moments, each appearing and disappearing rapidly.

According to Buddhist texts, it takes 17 mind-moments for a cognitive experience to register. As Marshall Glickman describes in his book ‘Beyond the Breath’: “This happens so quickly that we experience a  steady state of consciousness, just as a movie appears seamless even though it’s made of many quickly flashed still photos.” We are so engrossed in this fascinating movie that we are unable to step aside to distinguish between the movie and the reality.

Besides the limitation in our ability to pick up the absolute truth in the first place, our perceptions are further clouded by our own thoughts and emotions.

We take life’s sustenance from our mothers, we take love from our siblings, we take knowledge from our teachers, we take companionship from our friends, we take affection from our pets, we take food from the earth, we take warmth from the sun and that is an endless list. And yet we feel no obligation to all these givers, because we are conditioned to view them as normal life situations.

Our minds are full of suspicion, and more so when we are at the receiving end. The mind works at a furious pace on the implications of taking. One of the fears is of having to return the favor immediately or at some point of time in the future, and the guilt of ingratitude if we are not able to do so. But does it always have to work in that manner? Perplexing, as it may seem, there is a far more complicated system at play which is difficult to decode. Seers therefore stress on abiding by the fundamental principle of giving with humility and taking with gratitude – a simple way to resolving confusing moments in this endless cycle of take and give.

Every one of us, in our lifetime, experiences moments when we give on impulse. We are stirred to give to causes, beggars, friends, strangers. Do these people give us something in return? Do we expect them to? No, but in doing so we experience a strange calm. And when we as takers are full of sadness and shame, are we forgetting to recognize the moment of calm being experienced by the giver?

In this endless game of take and give we should just play along, taking and giving as life asks us to, enjoying the gifts we take and give, without grudging our ‘misfortune’ for being takers, not feeling lesser for having taken or superior for having given. – The Times of India

Good morning friends.   They say that it’s better to give than to receive.  This is true.  You will feel happiness when you give something because you will make the people happy with material or immaterial things.  I believe that we should give with humility and take with gratitude.  After reading one nice article of giving and taking, let me share it also with you as you will like it and learn something to it.

On the verge of crying, I could barely express my gratitude. Saying a simple ‘thank you’ did not seem adequate for the effort taken by a friend in trying to get me a job in a vulnerable phase in my life. And so, thereafter, I must have tried to express my thanks many times over till she simply smiled and said: “It is your time to take.”

Taken aback by the reply I perhaps further complimented her on her goodness, not understanding the full import of the words ‘your time to take’. Life got busy and we lost touch. But somewhere inside me the words ‘a time to take’ sat patiently waiting their turn to play a part in my life. The going was good. I was now in a position to help others. My natural response to all the words of gratitude that were showered on me remained, ‘it is all right, it is just your time to take’.

There is a time to take and there is a time to give. Golden words often quoted, and yet we only want to give, we would rather not take. The puzzled looks I have received when I have gently said ‘it is a time to take’ set me thinking. What is so loaded in the words ‘a time to take’?

Perhaps it is to do with our upbringing. Instilled in us is this value about not taking – it is a favour, about managing alone even in the most difficult of times without seeking support. And yet, taking is one of the most natural acts carried out by each of us since the time we are conceived.

Sweets and gifts symbolize the dispelling of the bitterness and renewal of friendship. Deepawali is a time to throw light on the wisdom you have gained and welcome a new beginning. When true wisdom dawns, it gives rise to celebration. But don’t let celebration make you lose your focus and awareness. To maintain awareness in the midst of celebrations, the ancients created rituals: puja brings sacredness. For the same reason, Deepawali is also the time for pujas that add depth to the festivities by infusing the spiritual aspect.

Celebration includes the spirit of seva or service. Share. In giving, we receive. Celebration also means dissolving all differences and basking in the glory of the atman. Happiness and wisdom have to be spread and that can happen when all come together and celebrate in knowledge.

Deepawali is the celebration of the wisdom thus born. For the one who is not in knowledge, Deepawali comes only once a year, but for the wise, Deepawali is every moment and every day. This Deepawali, celebrate with knowledge and take a sankalpa (intention) to serve humanity.

Light the lamp of love in your heart; the lamp of abundance in your home; the lamp of compassion to serve others; the lamp of knowledge to dispel the darkness of ignorance and the lamp of gratitude for the abundance that the Divine has bestowed on us. Light dispels darkness and when the darkness of ignorance within you is dispelled through the light of wisdom, goodness prevails. – The Times of India

Good morning friends.  When someone asked you, what kind of love you will give to others?  How did you let them feel you love with them?  How can you light the lamp of love to many?    

For an oil lamp to burn, the wick has to be in the oil, yet out of the oil. If the wick is drowned in oil, it cannot bring light. 

Life is like the wick of the lamp; you have to be in the world yet remaining untouched by it. If you are drowned in the materialism of the world, you cannot bring joy and knowledge in your life. By being in the world, yet not drowning in the worldly aspect of it, we can be the light of joy and knowledge. Lamps are lit on this day not just to decorate homes, but also to communicate this profound truth.

Every human being has some good qualities. Every lamp that you light is symbolic of this. By lighting the lamp of wisdom in you, you light up latent values and by acquiring knowledge; you awaken all the facets of your being. When they are lit and awakened, it is Deepawali. Don’t be satisfied with lighting just one lamp; light a thousand, for you need to light many lights to dispel the darkness of ignorance.

Another profound symbolism is in the firecrackers. In life, you often become like a firecracker, waiting to explode with your pent-up emotions, frustration and anger. When you suppress your emotions, cravings, aversions, hatred, you reach a bursting point. Bursting crackers is a psychological exercise to release bottled-up emotions. When you see an explosion outside, you feel similar sensations within you as well. Along with the explosion, there is so much light. Let go of these emotions, so serenity dawns. You can experience newness when you discard these pent-up emotions. Deepawali means to be in the present, so drop the regrets of the past and the worries of the future and live in the moment.

“My son, confidence is good, but overconfidence is bad.”

This advice is very useful to him. Similarly, another parent, a mother, sees that her son is impatient.

He cannot wait for anything to take place in the ordinary course of events, so she gives him advice, with reference to her own experiences:

“My son, life is 1 per cent action, and 99 per cent restraint.”

This advice proves very useful to the son.

Similarly, another parent finds that his daughter does not have the quality of perseverance. She is not able to work unflaggingly with others, therefore, in the light of his experiences he advises his daughter:

“My child, maturity is the ability to live with things you cannot change.”

This advice of the father gives the daughter right guidance. She reviews her actions, and replans her life and then achieves great success in life.

These examples show how important the previous generation is for the new generation. The previous generation bequeaths its wisdom to the new generation. It passes on such formulae as have proved right in the light of practical experiences. In this way the older generation enables the coming generation to refrain from committing the mistakes which people made earlier that led to great losses. The truth is the previous generation is a valuable gift of nature to the present generation.

If our life is like flowing water, in which fresh water continues to be added at every moment, then it will always remain fresh and will never become stale. On the contrary, water that is confined to a closed space, stagnating in the absence of replenishment, will eventually lose its freshness. It will become stale, even harmful. The flowing river is a healthy message given by nature and the experience of many generations of people across continents and cultures would support this analogy. – The Times of India

Good morning friends.  Each and every one of us  a long journey in life.  It’s a like a flowing river.  Sometimes it’s hard and sometimes it’s easy.  All we have to do is to go with the flow. 

Human life can be likened to a flowing river. What is a river? A river is a unique phenomenon of nature. In the river fresh water is being added to the existing water at every moment. 

This everyday phenomenon is responsible for the freshness of the river water. In the absence of this continuous flow of newly added water, the river will lose its freshness: it will not be able to maintain its health-giving, even life-giving, properties.

The same method is adopted by nature with regard to human beings. As we know, human beings continue to be born, generation after generation. Within a period of a hundred years, the previous generation is replaced by a fresh set of people. If the old water is replaced with fresh water, in human beings this same occurrence takes place in the form of previous generations yielding place to new generations.

A great wisdom lies behind this system set up in human life by nature. Its aim is that the coming generation should learn its lesson from the experiences of the previous generation. By benefiting in this way, we may continue our life journey in a far better way. This is the precious gift of the previous generation to the new generation. This is why the phrase ‘old is gold’ is often used with reference to the older generation.

For instance, a father sees that his son is intelligent but finds that there is one thing wrong with his temperament, and that is his overconfidence. Due to this he suffers losses in life. On seeing this, the father, in the light of his own experiences advises him thus:

Good morning friends.  Happy Diwali to everyone.  Wishing you all the best the whole year through.  Now is the time for us to give some time to meditate.  Yes, I did that and it’s a good feeling.  After doing it, I manage to read some spiritual article.  You have to try that.    It’s about simple devotion.  Now I want to share you what I have read. 

Even though I was born with the proverbial silver spoon in my mouth, my father instilled in me the quest for the eternal rather than the material. He took me to the Kumbh Mela when I was five years old and subsequently, to all the 12 Jyotir Linga and Char Dhams. It was then that my bond with the Almighty was established.

I got to know the Almighty, for which one has to strive hard with dogged determination. He reveals Himself to you, slowly. I was attracted to Lord Krishna for his wisdom, intellect and human nature. I believe that to know God you don’t have to be an intellectual. You can gain Him through simple devotion.

During my quest of spiritualism, I questioned the scientific reasons behind most Hindu rituals and traditions. For example, I was amazed to know that the Swastika brings 10 lakh ions of positive energy into the place it’s put; no wonder people put Swastikas in front of their business establishments and residences! Only in a positive ambience can one work in a positive frame of mind.

My mother was a very spiritual lady and my spiritual inclination came from her. Again, when I got married into the Poddar family in Kolkata, it was the same spiritual atmosphere there. My mother-in-law was like a spiritual mentor in my life, from whom I learnt how to please the Lord.

Mornings are the best time for a creative person. This is time to be one with God. Brahma Muhurt has a lot of significance in my life. This is the time to be with nature… time to get inspired.  – The Times of India

(Anju Modi is a spiritual writer)

Good morning friends. Happiness is a good night’s rest.. .  Do you believe in that?  Some maybe yes some maybe not. With the article I read, the person talking about it has proven her thought.  It’s nice and I want to share it with you. 

My spiritual quest began rather early in life and progressed into academic study when I decided to major in religion and philosophy in college. 

The choice was made with the intention of finding a few answers to my many questions, to study the ‘different’ religions of the world. I oscillated from believing to not believing to questioning the faith I was born into.

May be there was a better alternative for me? One that I was to choose for myself and hence be more willing to accept. There was a moment in my life when I contemplated conversion — when I was drawn to a particular faith. It was introspection that made me realise that what I sought was not a path, what I sought was a union with the constant evolution that surrounds us.

The fact that our reality, our selves and our beliefs are in constant flux. That there is an impermanence that is ever present and our ability to cope with it, has more to do with our changing self than a path we choose. As it turned out I chose to stay in my faith, to understand it for myself and to be free in the understanding that the essence of all religions is the same. In times of peril, there are many verses I recount, I make annual pilgrimages, not all of these are to temples.

Do I practice my faith? Yes, I do. My practice is in the interactions I share with people. My spiritual quest continues. Do I view material possessions negatively? Not necessarily — I am however cautious of not letting what I possess define me, nor judge others by their possessions. It is one of my spiritual victories, to be able to do that very easily. There are other things that I struggle with; often I struggle with as much of the good in my life as I do the bad.

At times I feel grateful and then on some days undeserving — of the good and the bad. Today, there are enough and more things we encounter, a lot of times it isn’t so much about choice, it’s more about learning what to step around — with practice, I side step pretty easy now and sleep well. And isn’t happiness above all else a good night’s rest?   - The Times of India

Good morning friends.  How creative are you?  Many says contentment lies in creativity.  In some aspect of life, it can be applied but in some it can.  After reading one good article, I’d like to share it with you and then tell me if some of you who don’t believe that contentment lies in creativity.  It’s a nice article. 

God is in meditation, as much as in madness, says Mallika Sherawat 

You find god in…
I try to find the spirit in everything — myself, friends or enemy. In prayer or party, meditation or madness, nature or the bathroom.

How do you connect to god?
I connect by being connected of course! As long as one makes the effort to attune oneself, the connection is revealed. It’s a subtle thing for me.

Karma & kismat to you are:
Karma to me is the cumulative effect of all the results that I cause. Whether the result is instant or takes time, it is the law. Kismat is destiny that changes as one grows.

True contentment lies in…
For me, true contentment lies in creativity, it comes from taking on challenges, and understanding the worth of true friends. But true contentment lies in peace of mind. -  The Times of India

(Mallika Sherawat is an actor)

Good morning Friends.  Blissful moment in our life can’t be measured by anything.  We are the one who made our happiness.  Contentment are better than bliss.  It maybe true but with others before you get contented you have to be happy first.  One article I read, said that contentment is better than bliss.  With you out there what do you think? 

I believe spirituality is common to all religions, but religion is very often dealt with in a non-spiritual mindset . 

I personally find short-term contentment better, so long live the desire for a new Gucci…if it’s what makes me happy! The equation between spirituality and materialism actually depends on one’s thought process.

If you buy something which makes you happy, you experience contentment. Bliss, however, exists on a much superior level. Donating huge sums of money to religious institutions does not make a person spiritual.

In a fast-paced world, it might be a short cut to nirvana, but most people indulge in charity to justify their ‘bad conscience’ hoping they’ve ‘washed away their sins’! That’s blasphemy.

The mind is like a wild fire with many thoughts running through it simultaneously. Whether a person donates his money for charity or splurges it on the latest Chanel outfit is purely his own decision. Spirituality can be analysed according to actions, not words. Regarding the presence of God, He is omnipresent as He exists in the mind of every human being.

As a designer, I’ve come across innerwear with God’s images on them. Some of these attract attention. I believe, religious trinkets and symbols are always encouraged by the society. These include tattoos, amulets, bracelets, etc, with the exception of underwear. It’s usually not done as it hurts religious sentiments.

Being ‘here and now’ is about the body being united with the soul in time. Spirituality is the connection to everything, including oneself.  – The Times of India

(Hemant Sagar is a fashion designer)

timeslife@timesgroup.com

Good morning friends.  It’s really a good thing to know  that happiness is just around the corner.  I believe in that.  You can find it anywhere, everywhere whenever you want.  I just read one article of a woman which is a model. She got a  nice thinking of how happiness can be all around.  Here’s a peep into bombshell Koena Mitra’s spiritual side…

You find God in…
“God is one big positive energy! The fact that God helps you get over the biggest of problems in your life proves that He is a big support system. From happiness to sadness – he is around you and within you.”

How do you connect to God?
“I read a book called Conversations with God in which the writer states, ‘If you have a pure soul and faith in God, you can definitely connect to Him’. There are various ways to feel him; some connect by turning vegetarian or praying for hours. For me, a pure heart and faith is the answer.”

Karma & kismat to you are:
“I read this quote somewhere and it actually describes life: ‘I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination.’ Everyone is born with their own destiny. I am a firm believer of the fact that ‘What goes around comes around’. Things we do come back to us in some way or the other.”

True contentment lies in…
“Everyone chases happiness, not noticing that happiness is right at their heels. Be honest with yourself. Happiness will come by itself!”  - The Times of India

timeslife@timesgroup.com

Ultimately it is about finding that sacred balance between not wanting too much either to only give, or to only receive.

Teachers from various Traditions have spoken of the art of receiving; that learning to receive is an important step in connecting to our Higher Self. It may not be only working hard or being a more deserving person that draws good things towards us, rather, it begins with the process of ‘allowing’. Perhaps we could reflect on the strange possibility that we may be allowing into our lives less than 2 per cent of the good things that Higher Self offers.

A sermon i once heard from a Christian pastor suggested that when Jesus called us to ‘become as little children’ to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, he meant that we should learn to receive as they do. “Children can teach us a thing or two about simple, joyful receiving,” she said. “They hardly ever feel they have to earn the gift or are obliged to pay you back. They just accept. It’s a form of surrender. That’s how one enters the kingdom.”

A Buddhist teacher in Thailand invited us to consider that in order to have a great life, you not only have to discern your needs from your greed, but you also have to be humble enough to ask for what you need, and more importantly you also need to understand that the way you habitually receive often determines what you will receive in the future.

There’s a danger of getting caught up in our own ideas of what it means to be generous and so losing sight of what this principle of generosity is really about ^ which is experiencing our interconnectedness in both the outgoing and inflowing energy of genuine reciprocity.  - Marguerite Theophil

The writer is a Mumbai-based consultant, personal growth coach and workshop leader.